Anthony Thomas Slama (born January 6, 1984) is a relief pitcher for the Minnesota Twins. He is 6'3", and weighs 207 lbs., and bats and throws right-handed.
Slama played two seasons of college baseball at Santa Ana College from 2004-2005, before transferring to the University of San Diego, where he played for the Toreros in 2006. Slama was selected in the 39th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft. However, he did not sign with Minnesota in 2006 and returned to San Diego for the 2007 season. Prior to the 2007 draft, he signed a professional contract with Minnesota. He began his professional career in 2007 with the Rookie level Elizabethton Twins, and after only six appearances where he struck out 10 in 7.1 innings, earned a promotion to the Beloit Snappers.
Slama spent the 2008 season with the Twins' advanced A affiliate, the Fort Myers Miracle. He compiled a 2-0 record with a 0.50 earned run average and 12 saves in the first half of the 2008 season—helping Fort Myers capture the Florida State League first-half West Division title. Along with teammates Robert Delaney, Brian Dinkelman, Jeff Manship, Wilson Ramos and Danny Valencia, Slama represented the Fort Myers Miracle in the 2008 Florida State League All-Star game.
For the season, he went 4-1 with a 1.01 ERA, 25 saves and 110 strikeouts in 71 innings to earn All-FSL Team honors, the Jim Rantz Award Twins' Minor League Pitcher of the Year and MILB.com's "Best Class A Reliever."
He recorded the save in both division play off games against the Dunedin Blue Jays, and in the Miracle's one win against the Daytona Cubs in the FSL championship series. His 13.94 strikeouts-per-nine innings ranked third among all Minor League relievers, and his .173 opponents' batting average ranked eighth.
On July 20, 2010, he was called up to the majors. Alex Burnett was sent down to make room for him.
Anthony made his major league debut for the Minnesota Twins on July 21, 2010, against the Cleveland Indians. He worked one inning, striking out two in finishing a victory.
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